It's that time of year again, the time when we all make our New Year's resolution. Many of us will resolve to improve our health and well being for the New Year. A great way to get started on the road to better health is through detoxification and cleansing. There are many benefits which are gained that impact our health, vitality and rejuvenation. From a holistic view ,cleansing your internal organs throughout the year is imperative to prevent health problems or to simply treat disease.

You would not run your car without getting an oil change. Your body is no different as it needs to be cleansed, especially with the increase of exposure to toxins in our daily lives. We easily accumulate toxins from food additives, alcohol, cigarette smoke, chemicals from health & beauty products and even in household cleaning products. Here are some hints and tips on how you can cut down on your exposure: eat more foods that don't contain chemicals and preservatives; eliminate health and beauty product that contain parabens and synthetic colours and fragrances; increase consumption of filtered water , herb teas, legumes, fruits and vegetables; reduce your intake of fatty foods, especially fried food or red meats as well as milk products.

What are the benefits to detox? While it can be helpful for weight loss and weight management, it can also enhance our energy levels, slow the ageing process (improving skin texture) and improve digestion so that we actually metabolize needed nutrients from our food. Some symptoms that indicate a need for detoxification include chronic headaches or sinus congestion, allergies, recurrent colds/flus or respiratory illness, constipation, joint pain, skin rashes or frequent mood changes.

There are many supplements that can aid in detoxification and support the body during this transition process such as a good overall body cleanse, fiber, Vitamin C, Chlorophyll and a good multi vitamin to replenish the body during the cleanse. The liver is one of the most important detox organs due to it's ability and role in eliminating harmful toxins from the body. An excellent herb to support the liver is milk thistle. An overall body cleanse can focus on the many channels of elimination to aid in detoxification from the liver, colon, kidneys, blood, skin, lungs and lymphatic system.

Finally, don't forget to support your body through rest, relaxation and recharging. Practicing meditation and or yoga can also help quiet the mind and restore the soul to overcome negative emotions and tap into a more positive energy source. Meditation is a great way to reduce stress and restore peace and tranquility to the mind and spirit. Research has proven that the mind has a significant impact on our overall health and well being. I have personally found this to be an amazing support system to deal with the hectic pace of life and everyday challenges. Starting in January, The Healing Sun Health Food store will be offering meditation classes. Call for more information or visit our web site.

Submitted by Caroline Taylor

The Healing Sun Health Food Store - Health and Wellness through Body * Mind* Spirit * Soul